Gainesville, Florida
A Timeline for LGBTQ History in Gainesville, Florida
1956: The Florida Legislative Investigation Committee (commonly known as the John Committee after state senator and former governor Charley Eugene Johns) is formed
- investigate all organizations whose principles or activities include a course of conduct on the part of any person or group which could constitute violence, or a violation of the laws of the state, or would be inimical to the well being and orderly pursuit of their personal and business activities by the majority of the citizens of this state
The Committee soon begins to harass faculty at the University of Florida as well as school teachers. By 1959, fifteen UF professors had been fired for alleged homosexual behavior.[1]
2009: A broad coalition of Gainesville residents defeats "Charter Amendment One" at the polls. The Amendment would have removed the anti-discrimination protections that the city of Gainesville had put in place for LGBT individuals, making it legal to deny employment or housing based on sexual orientation. Despite an aggressive campaign which charged that without the Amendment sexual predators would stalk helpless children in public bathrooms, the LGBT community and straight allies, including the Chamber of Commerce and leaders of the University's student body and administration, defeated the opposition 58% to 42%.[2]
